Substance profile
1,3-propylene oxide
1,3-propylene oxide is an oil with an agreeable aromatic odor.
01 · Identification
What 1,3-propylene oxide is
1,3-propylene oxide is an oil with an agreeable aromatic odor. Its molecular formula is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol. It boils at 48 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P312, P330, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
1,3-propylene oxide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 48 °C (118.4 °F) | at 750 mmHg | HSDB |
| 50 °C (122 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Density | 0.893 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| Solubility | SOL IN ALL PROPORTIONS OF WATER, ALCOHOL; SOL IN ETHER; VERY SOL IN ACETONE, ORGANIC SOLVENTS | HSDB | |
| In water, miscible. | HSDB | ||
| 10 to 50 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Vapor pressure | 324 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 324 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | -28.33 °C (-19 °F) | CAMEO | |
| -28 °C (-18.4 °F) | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 1,3-propylene oxide
Incompatible materials
Strained ring oxygen heterocycles such as epoxides and exetanes react with the oxide in dichloromethane at sub-ambient temperatures to form high yields of the powerfully explosive glycol dinitrate esters.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
1,3-PROPYLENE OXIDE reacts with Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds. It is also incompatible with oxidizing agents and strong acids. (NTP, 1992). An explosion occurred when propylene oxide was added to epoxy resin. Polymerization was catalyzed by amine accelerator in the resin [Bretherick 1995]. Propylene oxide and sodium hydroxide base-catalyzed the polymerization of the former, causing ignition and explosion of a drum of the crude product. [Combust Sci. Technol., 1983].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 1,3-propylene oxide in the storage compatibility matrix →